Lundqvist, Rangers continue to haunt Bruins

Recap: After jumping ahead on a power-play goal
from Ryan Callahan midway through the first, the Rangers caught a
break when a Ryan McDonagh shot deflected off Zdeno Chara and past
Tim Thomas to make it 2-0.

After a scoreless second period in which Boston held a 14-5 edge
in shots, New York put the game away early in the third. Artem
Anisimov tallied on a 2-on-1 to make it 3-0 and Henrik Lundqvist
stopped everything thrown his way, finishing the night with 42
saves.

Records: New York 37-13-5, 79 points; Boston
34-18-2, 70 points

Key Play of the Game: During a wild scramble in
the second period, the Bruins seemed to be on the verge of cutting
the deficit in half, banging away in unison at a loose puck near
the top of the crease. But Boston couldn't squeak anything by
Lundqvist, even when he was forced to used a defenseman's stick
during the sequence.

Connolly's Commendations: Gotta hand it to
Henrik Lundqvist. Yeah, yeah. Usually this spot is reserved for
those who play for the Bruins, but the fact that the King simply
owns them makes him more than worthy of a well-deserved golf clap.
Lundqvist finished the night with 42 saves for his 42nd career
shutout. It sure feels like, gosh, 40 of them have come against the
Bruins.

This is the part where I usually pat a member of the Black and
Gold on the back, be it Patrice Bergeron for his faceoff prowess or
Tim Thomas for his Facebook prowess compete
level. Sorry, kiddos. Not tonight.

Connolly's Critiques: How many times can you
face the same goalie and not put a puck by him? The Bruins are
almost defying the odds here with their futility against Lundqvist.
Pitiful.

David Krejci has now gone six-straight games without a point.
That's bad news bears.

Joe Corvo is still deservedly the target of everyone's
frustrations. No. 14 made a costly decision to pinch in/check a
Ranger at the Blueshirt's blueline, which led to Dennis Seidenberg
being left alone to stop a 2-on-1. He couldn't.

Notes: Thomas has now given up three goals in
three straight appearances. The Rangers held a 22-7 edge in blocked
shots (that's enormous!).

Next: The Bruins are now on the road for all
eternity. Their trip begins on Wednesday night when they visit the
Bell Centre to take on the Habs.